Thailand 'edges closer toward a police state'

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Thailand 'edges closer toward a police state'

Published: 17 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

One of the hallmarks of the Yingluck administration's one and a half years in office has been to induce a culture of fear and intimidation to maintain apathy among the media and the opposition in the face of eroding liberty and the destruction of freedom of speech in Thailand.

Such acts of intimidation by the Yingluck administration have gradually edged Thailand closer to a police state.

Freedom of speech in the media during the Yingluck administration first came under attack in early 2012 through the banning of Shakespeare Must Die, an adaptation of Macbeth which included scenes of characters with a close resemblance to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirts. The independent movie was banned for ''content that causes divisiveness among the people of the nation''.

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jacksprat
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Discussion 14 : 17 Jan 2013 at 19.5014
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Political life in Thailand becomes more like "Animal Farm" every day.
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englishbob
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Discussion 13 : 17 Jan 2013 at 19.1713
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Rather than shoot the messenger, why not look at the content of the letter?

It seems pretty accurate. There's clearly a witch hunt taking place and political opposition is being stifled. Tarit has become a complete puppet with zero integrity. Chalerm is an embarrassment. And Peua Thai policies have failed... all of them.

There can be no argument. If Thaksin were to pass away quietly in the night, the government would be able to focus on the other 65 million Thais for a change and the country move forward.
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loong
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Discussion 12 : 17 Jan 2013 at 16.1112
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I think AV and Korn could speak/read/write English better than many postbag contributors including I and packman put together.
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cadcolin
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Discussion 11 : 17 Jan 2013 at 14.5311
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the current goverments genius move which the democrats still fail to understand and counter was the ability of the red shirts to completlty dominated politics at a village level in the north and north east

Bangkok may be the big political prize but being in charge of bangkok when the rest of the country is red means nothing until some grass roots alternatives to the red shirts takes shape then things will not change
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klauss
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Discussion 10 : 17 Jan 2013 at 12.4410
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I guess most of BP readers are foreigners and not in a position to vote. May I suggest you bring your issues to the Thai media. Be proactive and do something which benefits the Thai people instead of using all your energy to complain about the government. When you point one finger at others, there are 3 fingers which points at yourself.
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dao
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Discussion 9 : 17 Jan 2013 at 11.009
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Its obvious that the only way PT can compete is by trying to eliminate the competition .They claim to want real democracy and reconciliation so much but their actions reflect the opposite .Anyone who knows Thaksin also knows he doesn't even like democracy. I believe his exact words were .It isnt my vehicle of choice .
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whatajoke
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Discussion 8 : 17 Jan 2013 at 07.538
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Rather than argue in circles, go look and see if the same letter is published in other newspapers, it's not in the Nation. Dems would have been more professional putting out a press statement, they certainly have a point. Postbag is for plebs like us.
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brilliant
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Discussion 7 : 17 Jan 2013 at 06.517
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packrat - hit a little to close to the truth? If you don't like it go to Robert Amsterdam's website. I understand you'll find lots of friends there and no opposition allowed. It's an opinion section, the BP can publish whatever they wish. Would you have rather read an Eric Barht letter? Not me.
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robingrant
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Discussion 6 : 17 Jan 2013 at 06.426
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I don't agree with packman, these 44 politicians had every right to express their opinions, and the Bangkok Post was right to publish this letter, it's in the public interest.

However, I find it mildly amusing that these Democrats should suddenly be so concerned about press freedom, as their own party showed scant regard for this concept when in power - think of the draconian use of the Computer Crimes Act, the closure of media outlets supporting the red shirts etc. They are now getting a taste of their own medicine, and they don't like it!
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oldairman
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Discussion 5 : 17 Jan 2013 at 06.405
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D4 It may surprise you to know that there are many people in Thailand who can speak, read and write a second language fluently and some can speak, read and write in more than 2 languages. Why would the Democrats "pay to have it translated" as you so crudely put it when they can do it themselves.
On another note it says that the Democrats party is not financed by any one individual. How does that compare with the PTP which is owned by Thaksin and by owning it he controls the current government using his sister as the nominal head of government.
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Thailand 'edges closer toward a police state' | Bangkok Post: opinion